2-minute drill: Washington at Washington State

1 Kick high, deep, or wide. Washington State is the only team to give up as many as three punt returns for touchdowns and one of just two teams to give up three kickoff return scores. The Huskies have a dynamic kick returner in John Ross and an emerging punt returner in freshman Dante Pettis and each already have a score this season. WSU’s best bet is to simply kick away from UW’s return men or else the Huskies are going to get great offensive starting position, if not scores, thanks to special teams.

2 Look out for the misdirection. The Huskies attempt only a few long passes per game, but are able to still get big plays in the passing game thanks to athletic receivers and some slight of hand. Last week Oregon State gave up a 68-yard touchdown pass when quarterback Cyler Miles and every UW receiver ran to the right side of the field, leaving tight end Darrell Daniels all alone on the opposite side for an easy catch and run. WSU must make sure to account for every potential receiver and not give up explosive plays.

3 The turnover battle. The Huskies have forced 24 turnovers this season, more than any other Pac-12 team. The Cougars, however, have just seven takeaways this season and are the only conference team without at least 11. Obviously, if the Cougars can win the turnover battle they’ll have a great shot to win the game, but most important is simply limiting their own turnovers or UW will run away with this one.

4 Keep the crowd into it. The last time the Huskies visited Pullman, the Cougars came back from an 18-point fourth-quarter deficit to win in overtime in front of an exuberant crowd that kept the energy on WSU’s side once the home team started rolling. But this year’s Apple Cup won’t end until near midnight and temperatures are expected to be in the teens. If the Cougars let the Huskies take another big lead, there might not be much of a fourth-quarter crowd to cheer them back into the game.